West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hands over the certificate to the beneficiary of Banglar Bari scheme in Kolkata on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: ANI

Mamata launches housing scheme for rural poor in Bengal

CM says her govt. was yet to receive ₹24,000 crore from the Centre for various schemes but that will not stop her from extending benefits

by · The Hindu

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched the “Banglar Bari” scheme on Tuesday to provide houses for the rural poor in the State.

Ms Banerjee released the funds to 42 beneficiaries across 21 districts and said over 12 lakh beneficiaries in the State are eligible for the first instalment.

The launch of the scheme assumes significance as Ms. Banerjee had announced it ahead of the Lok Sabha polls and said that if the Centre does not release funds for PM Awas Yojana, then the West Bengal government will go ahead with its own scheme.

The release of funds for central schemes in West Bengal has emerged as a political issue, with the Chief Minister starting similar schemes and releasing funds to the beneficiaries after the Union government allegedly failed to release money.

Under the scheme, a total of ₹1.20 lakh will be given to a family for constructing a house, of which ₹ 60,000 in the first instalment. However, beneficiaries in some areas of Jangalmahal and Dargeeling hills will get ₹1.30 lakh.

Speaking at the scheme’s launch, the Chief Minister said that another 18 lakh beneficiaries will be given the scheme’s benefit in 2025.

“We are yet to receive ₹24,000 crore from the Centre. But I had said that we are not asking for any alms. If the Centre does not release the funds then we will under our own scheme,” Ms. Banerjee said.

The Chief Minister said that a fresh survey of the list of beneficiaries was carried out and the number of beneficiaries was increased from 11 lakh to 12 lakh. Protests erupted earlier this year when the State government released the first list of beneficiaries.

Ms. Banerjee also said that the Centre had not released funds for MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employee Act), and the State government has started its own scheme to give employment for 50 days under the scheme.

Funds under MGNREGA have been on hold since December 2021 on the grounds of “corruption in the scheme”, which has created widespread distress in the State.

Published - December 18, 2024 01:04 am IST